Clifton—Tradition with a twist: For 35 years, supporters have played in the Annual Daughters of Miriam Center Golf Classic to raise money for the long-term care and rehabilitation facility. This year brought a new focus on raising money toward Alzheimer’s and dementia care at Daughters of Miriam Center/The Gallen Institute in Clifton, New Jersey, as well as an exciting new venue. Business and community leaders teed off in support of the Center on Monday, August 31, at the newly renovated Essex County Country Club, the first change in location in the tournament’s history.
Players were still offered the opportunity to participate in the Million Dollar Shootout, as well as numerous chances to win exciting prizes at four par 3 holes. Eight golfers took a shot at the conclusion of the tournament to try for a million dollars on the 9th hole from a distance of 165 yards or to at least come within a radius of 15 inches (2.5 foot diameter) of the pin to win $10,000 each. Unfortunately, while there were some close calls, no winners walked off with either prize which was sponsored by the Lewis Family Trust, Larry A. Levy, Trustee.
In addition to the Million Dollar Shootout and bulls-eye contest, the shotgun event offered terrific hole-in-one prizes such as cars, vacation trips, jewelry and cash awards. Hole-in-one prizes were made possible thanks to the generosity of Route 23 Auto Mall of Butler, Frank’s Truck Center of Lyndhurst, Fette Ford of Clifton and Yanina & Co. of Cedar Grove.
The tournament, which has earned the reputation of being among the finest of its kind in the region, continued its long tradition of offering something for everyone. Participants received a variety of gifts when they registered and were treated to an elaborate brunch, outdoor cocktail hour on the gorgeous new patio, and dinner.
The 2015 Classic featured both a silent and live auction that enabled participants to bid on foursomes at exclusive golf clubs, football, baseball, hockey and basketball tickets, as well as Broadway shows. Bidding for these and other great experiences was fast and furious, helping to make this year’s auction one of the most successful ever.
Capping the evening was the drawing for a 2015 Ford Mustang Coupe, valued at over $23,000. Gerard (Rod) Donnelly was the lucky winner.
Alex Fleysher of West Caldwell, Andrew Kanter of Wayne and Leslie Levine of Clifton were the golf co-chairs of the 2015 Classic. “We had a lot of ‘firsts’ in this tournament—first new course, first year women were invited to play, and first combined silent and live auction—all of which made for a very exciting outing,” commented Levine. Kanter added, “This was a great day all around and for a very noteworthy cause, as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia affects so many families. The Center provides a haven for families by offering specialized care for our loved ones suffering from these diseases.”
The event is staffed by many volunteers who register participants, staff prize holes and greet players with gifts and goodie bags. Coordinating their efforts were volunteer co-chairwomen Karen Altman, Leslie Levine and Gail Yamner.
The committee responsible for coordinating the event was: Jeff Abrams, Paul Abrams, Michael Birnberg, Robert Chestnov, Monica Cohen, Reid Fader, Jared Kanter, Robert Kantor, David Kessler, Randi Kochman, Pat Mucci, Jr., Jay Opper, Avi Safer, Joseph Silverman, Jeffrey Silvershein, Michael Sirota, Gail Yamner and Morris Yamner.
The extensive list of corporate and individual prize sponsors supporting the tournament included: Allwood Diner, Allwood Theater, Alpine Country Club, American Bistro, Gary Bettman, Beneflex, Barry Boss, Larry Boss, Benissimo Ristorante, Brother’s Bakery, Buco Ristorante, Brooklyn Nets, Bruno’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Café L’Amore, Capital Grille, Corrado’s, Cortina Ristorante, Rod Donnelly, Elements Massage, Essex County Country Club, Estée Lauder Companies, Inc., Ethan Allen Furniture, Fairway Market, Fette Ford, Alex Fleysher, Frank’s Truck Center of Lyndhurst, Gastronomia Riviera Restaurant, Get Fresh Bakehouse, David Gordon, Lisa (Yamner) Green, Greenbaum Interiors, H. Rubin Opticians, Hand and Stone Spa, Holsten’s Ice Cream Parlor, Hudson Water Club, Il Michelangelo Ristorante, Dave Jarvis, Joshua Kalafer, Lauren Kanter, Veronica Kanter, Kings Supermarket, Kosher Nosh, La Riviera Trattoria, LaTour Restaurant, Peter and Leslie Levine, Eric Levitt, Lunello’s, Lenny Marcus-Macy’s, W.A. Meytrott, Morré Lyons Jewelers, New York Mets, Nicola’s Restaurant, Nori Sushi, Jay and Carol Opper, Palm Restaurant, Paper Mill Playhouse, Preakness Hills Country Club, Rare Steakhouse, Alan Reisfield, The River Palm Terrace, Rosemary and Sage, Marc Rosenkrantz, Daryl Roth, Route 23 Auto Mall of Butler, Avi and Sylvia Safer, Senior Helpers, Spencer Savings Bank, Nutley Park Shoprite, Graham Starr, Tani Restaurant, Tru-Vision Communications, Valley National Bank, George Wolfson, and Yanina & Co.
Companies and individuals sponsoring the Classic included: Double Eagle Sponsors—A.L. Levine Family Foundation, Levco Shopping Centers, Sylvia and Avi Safer, Safer Textiles, Carole and Joel J. Steiger, Valley National Bank; Eagle Sponsor—Cole Schotz, P.C., Jay Horwitz, Leslie, Peter and Rachel Levine, Planned Companies; Gold Tee Sponsors—Discover Rx, Lewis Family Trust, Larry A. Levy, Trustee; Birdie Sponsors—Anne and William Cohen, Stanley Cooper, Bunny and Ned Feldman, Jacqueline and Alex Fleysher, Gutenstein Family Foundation, Herman and Yetta Geller Foundation, Anne and Andrew Kanter, Lynn and Paul Kramer, Selma and Raymond Kramer Foundation, Debra and Patrick M. Mucci, Jr., Stephen A. Ploscowe, Fox Rothschild, Michael Potack, Lisa and Jeff Silvershein, St. Mary’s Hospital, Unitex, Gail White and Family.
CUTLINE1: Golf Co-chairpersons (left to right) Andrew Kanter, Alex Fleysher and Leslie Levine are assisted by Pat Mucci Jr. (far left) who pulled the winning raffle ticket for a 2015 Ford Mustang. Gerard (Rod) Donnelly was the lucky winner.
